Big 12 South

Well, here's my thoughts on the Big 12 issues. Now that ttu, ou and tu all did what they needed to do I want to share what I believe should happen. Since it's a 3 way tie in which tu beat ou in early October, ttu beat tu in early November and ou beat ttu in late November, there's really no true tiebreaker except the following:

Schedule - Preseason and conference
Big Wins - at home verses on the road
Margin - margin of victory against like opponents
Whining - the smallest amount of whining from the players and coaches

With that said, I have to give the nod to ou. Yes tu fans, your team did beat ou earlier this season but remember your team's loss to ttu?? I guess that really didn't happen in your minds. The ou preseason schedule produced better victories for them over bowl teams than tu or ttu had. They both had cupcake schedules that helped them later in conference play. OU had a larger margin of victory againt like opponents and yes sports fans, they were the only team of the 3 who won a BIG game on the ROAD! That matters. Lastly, Stoops and Leach have done less campaigning and whining. Sorry Mack Brown but it's time to shut up or run for public office. When you decide to run for Governor, then you can become a politician. Until then, quit going on the talk show circut and talking during the OU games.

Just sit back and relax and see what the computers say. Because that's what's going to decide the Big 12 South this year since nobody wanted to win it on the field!

Former NFL Players Deserve Better

My dad, Tom Amason played in the NFL for a couple of years for the Los Angeles Rams in the 50’s and was seriously injured. After his injury, he was let go by the team because he was unable to play. They misdiagnosed a fractured vertebrae in his neck for polio and he never received proper treatment from the NFL or any other physician. After being told he would never walk again, my dad rose up against the odds and walked on crutches from 1955 to 1987. In 1987 a rather unfortunate accident occurred and my dad has not walked since. He has had 54 surgeries in his life, all of which occurred while or after playing in the NFL. He was not able to obtain health or life insurance while playing and believe it or not, he had to have an offseason job to pay the bills because back then, there were no large contracts like there are today. No money, no insurance, no pension, just a love for the game that was and still is unquestioned by these men.

It is my belief that many of the former players are more than entitled to receiving payments from the NFL to help with their medical expenses. These players, many of whom never played under a collective bargaining agreement, need the help from the NFL. There are many players who my dad played with and against like Crazy Legs Hersch, Night Train Lane, John Henry Johnson and many others who had great careers and were able to play long enough without injury to get a pension and other medical rights. But what about the ones who seriously built the league you and I enjoy so much today?

Without men like Tom Amason and many others who we will never know, this league would not be where it is today. Before TV and huge contracts, please remember that there were a group of men who built this league playing for the love of the game, not the money. These men played with broken bones, concussions, bulging discs and yes, even toe injuries. Without them sacrificing their bodies and their lives, we would not have the show and the multimillion dollar contracts we have today. These men of the past are not jealous of the money or the athletes of today, they are just damn proud of the league they helped build.

Please don’t think just because these men are asking for some compensation now for their years and years of struggles they are jealous or just want a piece of the new NFL pie. They do believe, as I do as a son of one of the pioneers, they should at least be offered something from the league. Not all of the men need it or would take it but the gesture would certainly be nice.

So, every Sunday when you watch your favorite NFL team, remember, these men playing today have insurance, tons of money, pensions, and most importantly a league that will take care of them forever if they are hurt. Don’t you think the pioneer men, most of whom are now ghosts, should at least get something in return?

Written in admiration for the former NFL Players.

Good news for the SEC

Well, it looks as if Tennessee has made their decision on a head coach and I believe it's good news for the rest of the SEC. Philip Fulmer, who was asked to leave, will be replaced by Lane Kiffin. If these reports are true, it's pretty amazing to me. Kiffin has less than 2 years head coaching experience and play calling experience. Granted his only experience as a head coach and play caller was in Oakland I don't think he was ready then or now. Was this really the best coach who wanted to go to Tennessee or did they jump the gun trying to sure him up? I guess only time will tell but as I see it right now, this is good news for the SEC. Good luck Lane Kiffin because the way I see it, if you don't have Tennessee in a BCS game in 2 years, you'll be history.

Thanks for the Memories Charly

One name kind of puts everything together for West Texas A&M football the past few seasons. Charly Martin. Charly has been the emotional offensive leader for the past 3 years. Charly wanted to come to WT becasue he knew he would get the ball. And get the ball he did. In his career, Charly broke record after record and watching him play was just fun. Not the biggest or fastest guy on the field made his career at WT even more impressive. Watching Charly run away from defensive backs was fun and after every score, Charly acted with pride and honor. He was a vocal leader who seldom made mistakes to hurt his team. More teams need guys like Charly Martin to help make a difference on their team and community. It was fitting that the last catch of his career ended up in the touchdown, a Division II record. Charly broke many college football records and his legacy at WT has been cemented into the record books forever. Thanks for being you Mr. Martin and know that the Texas Panhandle people love you and appreciate your heart and determination. You helped Coach Carthel bring WT football back from the dead. Always keep us on your mind and know you have a home here in the Texas Panhandle. Good luch in all your endeavors and hopefully you can make an NFL squad, if you choose to. Thank you so much for the memories Charly.

J-Train Makes Final Stop

Now that the Texas A&M season is officially over, it's time to say thanks to the J-Train for his past 4 years. Javorskie Lane was a mammoth of a man on the field and was a huge reason Dennis Franchione had any success at all. We were able to see one of the largest men in college football give punishing hits and free rides wherever he was headed. Javorskie came to A&M as just another player and leaves being the all time touchdown king in the storied A&M history. Due to injuries and a position change, we just didn't get to see the J-Train in full force this season. Good luck Javorskie in making it to the NFL. Surely there will be a team who needs a large light foot back to help make a difference. Thanks for the heart and determination you showed the entire country over the past 4 years and always know you made college football players in the Big 12 look like middle school students. I will always remember the J-Train and the punishing blows you put on defenders. Keep your head high and push on into the NFL. Thanks again and good luck!!

Why I Can't Stand Texas Tech

Alright, many have asked and I will now tell you exactly why I can't stand Texas Tech. That's right sports fans, I can't stand 'em. If you don't like it, then you don't have to read on.

Anyway, over the past few years, I have been happy for Tech. Ya, I just said I have been happy for them. For their fans over the age of let's say about 30 and their players and coaches. Mike Leach has done an amazing job over the past few years putting together a team that has been fun to watch. But that's where it stops.

I have noticed that while Tech's wins increase so does the classlessness of their fans. I have never seen such classless students, and let me say, I'm mainly talking about students here. They have thrown batteries, cokes and tortillas on the field and at the opposing fans. Last year, my 6 year old daughter Elisabeth was called a f...ing b.... by some Tech student during the A&M game and if it wasn't for the Texas State Trooper in front of me, I'd probably be writing this from jail.

So, in short, I can't stand to see what's going on down in Lubbock at what is supposed to be an institution of higher learning. I guess the President and Athletic Director forgot about the sportsman part. I found it VERY funny last year that during their "let's all be good sportsmen" announcement at Jones SBC ATT MCI Stadium, that the students booed the announcement. What a bunch of classless idiots they are.

I'm sorry Tech fans but I have to stand my ground here. I hope OU beats OSU so you can't get any closer to the Big 12 or National Title. I have stood up and happily cheered on TU and OU this year and it didn't even hurt! I hope the administration at TTU can stand up for what's right and kick the students squarely in the ass to straighten them up. It would be good for the entire Big 12 to have Tech fans act as good as their team plays.

BCS is just BS

As many of you know, I have never been a fan of the BCS, aka, The Bull Crap System. This thing has gotten us 2 true national champions since it's beginning, I think. So, with all of the talk going on right now about who should play for the national title, let's finish the freaking season!! There are still games to be played and let's see if the system can prove me wrong and get the best 2 teams in the nation in Miami in January. I have a feeling it won't.

Why this One??

Well, I have another blog called Just Me Being Me and I know there are people, like my wife, who really don't want to read about my ideas on sports. So, I will keep them separate. I am a devout fan of the Amarillo Sandies, the Fighting Texas A&M Aggies and many NFL teams. I root for the Dallas Cowboys, Rams, Buccaneers, and Colts. I also love baseball, mainly the Boston Red Sox and Texas Rangers. I hate the Yankess and believe they should have to give everyone in America a bailout!! I will mostly talk about football, mainly college, because that's where my passion is. I will post daily for a while to get caught up on my thoughts. Enjoy it and if you ever want to discuss any of my opinions, just let me know!!